Restoring Mollie (69 Bay) 500+ Photos

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Dude It's getting there! (very) slowly but surely

 

[krusty]

Is that James with the blue & White split screen, pretty sure I remember
Him from whitenoise last year.
Would be good if you could make it to whitenoise, at least it is
quite local.

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Yep, that's him couple of pics on this thread somewhere! Whitenoise should be good, and as you say, it's local so shouldn't be too far to get to

 

[gninnam]

It does get you down when you keep on revealing crap, but you have made a lot of progress so don't lose the faith

Starting to get those little niggles sorted now so well done sir :mrgreen:

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Bud Getting there slowly got to get to Vanfest in Sept! bodywork will look like it's been dragged of some scrappage scheme pile somewhere but I don't care, it will be rolling, solid safe and waterproof (Well, you got to have a bit of hope! )

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Just had a look at the cost of seals (as all mine are shagged) and, oh F*CK! maybe i'll be getting myself one of those "swap it to interest free" cards :lol:

Got brake lines, pipes and flexis, wheel bearings, all cable for electrics (new loom) and a motor overhaul kit to get! hmmmm, better get saving!

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Bit more done this weekend. Be glad when I have one bit I can say is finished!

Arch view of patch in bulkhead

Got the inner B Post cut out, was very thin and pinholed

Cut the repair piece to size and in it goes

Ground back and have a look, Bit of etch spray to dull the light relection so I can see what I missed (I know there's a few bits left to do) Shone a light through and I've got a few pinholes to dab a blob of weld on!

Hopefully get more done in the week!!

 

[gninnam]

Well done sir 8)

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Dude doesn't look like a lot, but took best part of a day fannying about trying to get that inner B Post to size and in properly! How's you getting on?

 

[gninnam]

Cheers Dude doesn't look like a lot, but took best part of a day fannying about trying to get that inner B Post to size and in properly! How's you getting on?

Your welcome

Not very well - not had chance to pop to the garage for the last few weeks
Going to see if I can get Friday off and then get 2 straight days on it, but the way things have been going, will have to see.
Thanks for asking

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Can't believe it's been two months! Where the **** did that go!

Started bare metalling the chassis again after the fubar with Metal Ready! doing a bit at a time as and when the back allows without stuffing myself up to much. Noticed that the nearside panel / arch had some serious dings and dents, loads of filler and a bent internal frame just above the arch so investigating I found 5 previous repairs (not including the mastic'd closing panels etc!)

Strange repair following the arch curve leads to more repairs

Masked up and off it comes (Cheers for the tip Moler, good one )

And as most of the arch is fubar decided that if a jobs worth doing....

Hopefully get the remains of the arch off tomorrow and trial fit the new one. Decided to leave the original vertical plate in place as it's a) not too bad, b) gives a good reference for the replacement to fit to, and c) taking that out would probably collapse the entire van!

 

[Nick-Rackham]

P.S. Getting a lift with a mate to VanFest as I don't think I'm going to have this ready!

 

[gninnam]

Time does fly doesn't it :shock:

Nice work on the cut also 8)

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Bud Time's still flying by! Not much done but did get a bit done yesterday and tonight before noise curfew!

New rear tub courtesy of Autocraft just mocked up for fit

and trial fit of rear arch, again, courtesy of Autocraft

Took a while to get the tub in as it's a late Split tub and although they look very similar, there is quite a bit of difference in the profile as it disappears out of the cabin area and into the void before the spare wheel well/ I'll try and get some pics up of what I had to cut and reprofile another day!

 

[moler]

You gotta love Autocraft

 

[Mickey Sam]

Fair play for hanging in there Nick. You must be nearly there mate. What have you got left to do on you welding list ?
( Or is it scarey looking too far ahead.)?
You've done some great work there Nick , keep pushing and go for that credit card you mentioned.
I reached the stage where it was either a credit card or an extra couple of years waiting so smash the plastic till it melts -
after all , it is an investment, or so I keep telling the Mrs
Good luck !

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Moler I love Autocraft panels having trouble getting it all to line up though! must have taken a serious knock in the past as it's all over the shop on the inside! never mind, gives the opportunity to staighten it out and put it right

Cheers Mickey, Plastic is now well and truly maxed, but hey ho, got almost everything I need to get it done now apart from paint and interior! :roll:

Got the floor lined up tonight and the arch wont sit straight so a lot more fettling required! all good fun and as they say, "If it was easy it wouldn't be so much fun"

Got the nice new Schofield NS Battery Tray in and pinned in place, lined up the rear corner a little better. High Quality panel this one, really good, fits really tight, crisp folds and bends, tight pressings, an extremely good panel well chuffed with this one

Hoping to get a little more done over the weekend My Rust Bullet RustFormulaX and Rust Bullet arrived via the neighbour tonight so I'm going to have a good read of the instructions with this one and have a go with that at the weekend too. Gonna be busy!

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Fair play for hanging in there Nick. You must be nearly there mate. What have you got left to do on you welding list ?
( Or is it scarey looking too far ahead.)?

Welding Ive got left to do is....
A few little bits under centre chassis to weld where I missed
Rear NS Tub
Rear NS Arch
NS Rear Window repairs
Rear NS Corner to tidy
Rear Corner Bulge
Rear Hatch
Engine Lid
OS Corner Complete
OS Tub
OS Arch
OS Rear Window repairs
OS C Post
OS Outer Cill
OS Middle Window repairs
OS Floor Panel
NS Floor Panel
OS B Post
OS Front Arch
OS A Post part of
Front Panel Windscreen Upper and Inner Panels
Front Lower Inner Panel
Front Panel Lower Outer
NS A Post part of
NS Arch
Side Door Lower (Inner and Outer)
Side Door Window repairs
Front Notches
Roof, a few localised repairs although nothing major

hmmmm.... maybe it was best not to look too far ahead!

 

[Nugsy]

Welding Ive got left to do is....
A few little bits under centre chassis to weld where I missed
Rear NS Tub
Rear NS Arch
NS Rear Window repairs
Rear NS Corner to tidy
Rear Corner Bulge
Rear Hatch
Engine Lid
OS Corner Complete
OS Tub
OS Arch
OS Rear Window repairs
OS C Post
OS Outer Cill
OS Middle Window repairs
OS Floor Panel
NS Floor Panel
OS B Post
OS Front Arch
OS A Post part of
Front Panel Windscreen Upper and Inner Panels
Front Lower Inner Panel
Front Panel Lower Outer
NS A Post part of
NS Arch
Side Door Lower (Inner and Outer)
Side Door Window repairs
Front Notches
Roof, a few localised repairs although nothing major

hmmmm.... maybe it was best not to look too far ahead!

Be ready by xmas then :shock:

Seriously Nick your work inspired me when i was restoring my crossover prior to the fire, had i still been on the go with it i'd be looking to your post for guidance, now i'm here for moral support.

Keep it up and one day it will all be worth it, as i always said ' a few years hard work for a lifetime of memories' it dont compare

 

[Nick-Rackham]

Cheers Nugsy I think that's the first time I've heard that I've inspired anyone seriously, it's learning from all the guys and girls on here that make it possible, someone willing to take the time to look at a problem, work it through and post up how they did it. How it was put together, how it comes apart and how to remake it and what to avoid that makes it possible!

Oh yeah, forgot to add to the list, Front floor, both halves, and both seat tubs too! another 5 minute job!

and it will be ready for Christmas, just not sure which one :lol: